Cushioned sole



Dec. 14, 1926. 1,611,142

/ J. E. GRosJEAN GUSHIONED SOLE Filed Nov. 2e, 1924 ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 14,1926.

UNITED STATES? PA'IENTV OFFICE.

JAMES E. GROSJEAN, OF LIMA, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE LIMA CORD SOLE AND HEEL COMPANY, OF,LI`M'A, OHIO, A CORPORATION 0F OHIO.

CUSIIIONED SOLE.

Application ined November 2s, 19'24. serial No. 752,339.

rlhis invention relates to shoe soles, and while the invention is susceptible of. many uses, it is particularly intended for use upon athletic, 'sport or any kind of shoes, and

c while the tread portion of the sole may be of any suitable material, it is here shown as Y comprising rubber or of a rubber and fabric'.

composition.

The objects ofthe invention-are to con- Hf struct and design a sole for use in athletic4 usual sole of this type toward rapid wear and deterioration of the knobs. It is also an Aobject of the invention to lighten the sole .and to prevent it from spreading in use and to so construct the sole that it may be attached more securely to the shoe than soles of a similar type.

Other objects and advantages are obtained by the use of the invention as will be more particularly described in the' description thereof, and it will be understood that changes and 'modifications may be made :m within the scope of the invention and the appended claims.

lt will also be understood that while the invention' is shown and described as applied to the sole of the shoe, it may be adapted for use upon the heel 'of the shoe as well.

In the drawings is shown one embodiment of the invention, in which.-

Figure 1 is a Yplan view of the sole, the layersv of cover fabricbeing partlally re- .moved to expose the cushion layer beneath; Figure 2 is a plan view looking/at the ground surface or tread` of the sole;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of Figure 2; and Y Figure 4 is an enlarged section of the forward portion ofthe sole.

In the drawings, the numeral 1 represents the main or tread portion of thesole which is preferably composed of rubber or rubber and textile composition which may be combined with any suitable fibrous reinforcing or wear resisting material. Under the ball of the foot are formed a plurality. of pro jecting kjnobs or cleats 2 in any desired pattern, these knobs being intended to afford a non-slipping surface uponthe sole and being molded'with the rubber and textile material in the sole in the usual manner. Over the upper surface of the tread portion of the sole aresecured two plies of fabric 3 which are preferably. arranged with their threads in angular relation to one another and whlch are vulcanized to the sole, preventing the sole from stretching and making it stronger to hold stitching and preventing stripping loose from the shoe andV also preventing squeaking. The plies 3, being preferably comprised of cotton, which is a well known non-conductor of heat, serve as a means for relieving the burningsensation which ,is often observed inthe wearing of rub-ber soled shoes.

Above ,the fabric layers A3 is applied a' leather middle sole 4 which extends over the whole of the sole except that it is removed over the area of the sole occupied by the cleats. or projections 2. The pattern of the leather middle sole is shown in Figure 1, in which it will be observed that it is cut away in three areas. directly over groups of projections 2, but is tied across the sole by transverse tying strips or bars 5 which serve to prevent the leather from spreading.

Within the apertures provided in the insole above the knobs 2 are inserted layers of s ringy .material 6, which provide highly resi ient cushions beneath the slip-preventing knobs or projections 2. For the cush` ionino` inserts many materialsmay be adaptable, Ebut I have found that crepe rubber in sheet form makes an excellent material for this purpose as it possesses a high de ree of resiliency and is light in Weight, as y use of this construction and material a 13-iron sole weighs about the same as a 10-iron of all rubber vulcanized lsole. As a result of the use of this or similar material, the sole is made lighter in weight and thus easier upon the feet. The inserts afford a very springy base beneath the knobs 2 Vand prevent the localizing of the pressure of the foot upon those knobs. As the knobs have a yielding base Within the sole, they will yield more readily and thus the Wear upon the knobs is reduced and it will be found that in a sole constructed as described, the slip-preventing formations on the sole will not wear oif as rapidly as in former con- -structions 'Ihe leather middle sole connes fabric 7 which are attached to the top of theA middlesole and cover the cushioning inserts, this fabric affording a base for the cement by which the sole may be attached to the shoe. v

It is believed that the advantages of the improved construction will have been made clear during the description of the .invention. The cushioning inserts serve to relieve the foot of the pressure of the non-slipping cleats or knobs and also increase the life of these formations. The fabric layers 3 keep the sole from spreading and relieve the foot of the burning sensation so often encoun-y tered with rubber soled shoes. The leather and rubber inserts also contribute to this `desirable result. The fabric prevents fthe sole from squeaking and also serves to hold the sole` upon the shoe, the hot wax used in sewing serving -to cement the thread to the fabric so that it Will not strip. The sole may be'made of thinner gage than the usual solefor thesame purpose.

While crepe rubber has been described as used for the cushioning inserts, other rubbers may be substituted, or other materials than rubber may be used. Other changes and modifications may be resorted to Within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims hereof.

lVhat is claimed is:

1. In a shoe sole, al1 outer tread layer containing rubber, a plurality of cleats molded as a partl of the tread layer, a middle sole of leather extending over the tread layer except above the cleats, and crepe rubber inserts within the middle sole and above the cleats.

2. In a shoe sole, an outer tread layer, a plurality of integrally'formed cleatsupon the outer layer, a middle sole extending over the tread layer except above the cleats, and a cushioning layer above the cleats.

3. In a shoe sole, an outer tread layer of rubber, a plurality of integral slip-preventf ing projections upon the tread layer, a layer of fabric over the tread layer, a layer of leather upon the fabric, the leather extendmg over the entire sole except at the areas above the projections where it is removed so as to provide a plurality of apertures separated by transverse tying strips, and inserts of crepe rubber Withink the apertures.

4. In a shoe sole, an outer tread layer of rubber, a plurality of integral slip-preventing projections upon the tread layer, a layer of fabric over the tread layer, a layer of leather upon the fabric, the leather extending over the entire sole except at`the areas above the projections Where it is removed so as to provide a plurality of apertures separated by transverse tying. strips, and inserts of cushioning material `Within the apertures.'

5. In a shoe sole, an outer tread layer of projections of rubber and textile materialand a cushioning medium embedded within the article above and confined to the said area.

T. As a new article of footwear, a ground engaging layer having an area 'of non-slip projections formed integrally therewith, a stilfening layer above the first named laver but removed in the area of the projections,

and acushioning mediulnconfined within the opening in the stiffening layer.

8. As a new article of' footwear, a ground engaging layer of rubber having an area of non-slip projections vulcanizedD thereon, a layer of leather above the rubber layer but removed in the area ofthe projections, and a layerl of light cushion rubber confined within the layer of leather.

JAMES E. GROSJEAN. 

